Facebook and Google stop placing ads on websites containing fake news
In recent years, social networks have becoming more and more popular among people since more people are involved in the technology world. As a result, social media has gained increasing influences on people’s daily lives. For example, during the recent election, false new stories distributed on social media played an important role and according to some critics, had a significant influence on the outcome of the election results.
As a result, both Google and Facebook have decided to update their programs to prevent the distribution of fake news stories by preventing placement of ads that contain false news. According to Facebook in a statement, “In accordance with the Audience Network Policy, we do not integrate or display ads in apps or sites containing content that is illegal, misleading or deceptive, which includes fake news.” Meanwhile, Google is also planning on improving and updating policies regarding its AdSense program, in an effort to prevent the distribution of fake news stories online. However, on the other hand, concerns regarding giving Internet companies more power by granting them the right to monitor and penalize the sites for fake news also arise. As stated by Pranesh Praksh, policy director at the Centre for Internet & Society in Bangalore, “We have to be wary of Facebook and Google being allowed to decide what’s ‘fake’ and what’s ‘true’ news.”
http://www.networkworld.com/article/3141589/internet/google-will-not-place-its-ads-on-sites-distributing-fake-news.html